The Official Web Site of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona

Transaction Privilege (Sales) & Use Tax License

The City of Scottsdale imposes a 1.65% privilege tax and a 1.45% use tax. Businesses are legally responsible for remitting these taxes, not the customer. Businesses are permitted to pass taxes through to and collect them from customers. A transaction privilege and use tax license is required to engage or continue in business. It is the business owner's responsibility to make application and obtain a license before starting business.

Application Process

To apply for a license, complete an application online. Once completed, print and return the application with a check for the applicable license fee as listed below. You must apply for a license before you open for business. If your start date is prior to 1/1/15, please submit with the $12.00 application fee and the appropriate license fees from the list below. A delinquent annual fee is due if the application is received after the start date. If your start date is on or after 1/1/15, please submit with the $50.00 annual license fee. If you are submitting the application after the start date in 2015 then you will need to also include the $25.00 penalty fee.

Please check with Development Services to be sure that your business location is zoned for your business activity. You can reach them at 480-312-2500.

Most fees are non-refundable.

Arizona State law now requires that any individual/sole proprietor applying (in person) for a license must present one of the following documents indicating that the individual is authorized by federal law to work in the United States:

• A driver license issued by a state that verifies lawful presence in the U.S. (Licenses from HI, NM, UT, & WA do not meet the requirement)UT licenses issued after 1/1/10 are accepted. HI licenses issued after 4/1/10 are accepted.

• A birth certificate or delayed birth certificate issued in any state, territory or possession of the U.S.

If you are an individual/sole proprietor applying (by mail), you must submit a certified copy of your birth certificate and a legible copy of your driver’s license with the application or a copy of a sales tax license from another state if the applicant does not plan to reside in Arizona.

Separate License

Each business is required to have a separate license for each City of Scottsdale location or name.

Fee due if not paid by the due date (Start date prior to 1/1/15)

$3.00 US per unit
(150% x $2.00 imposed fee per unit not to exceed $75.00)

Other Businesses

$75.00 US
(150% x $50.00 imposed fee)

Taxable Activities

Gross receipts generated from the following types of business are subject to the City of Scottsdale privilege tax. This summary provides only broad guidelines as to which activities are taxable and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of such activities.

Advertising: Includes advertising by radio, television, direct mail, billboards, or any other means.

Transient Lodging: In addition to the one and sixty-five hundredths percent (1.65%) privilege tax on the rental of real property, there is a five percent (5%) transient lodging tax on any hotel, motel, apartment, or individual charging for lodging space to any person for 30 days or less.

Transporting For Hire: Includes transporting persons or property by railroad; property by aircraft; or oil, natural gas or artificial gas through a pipeline.

Use Tax: Use tax is a one and forty-five hundredths percent (1.45%) tax on the purchase or rental of tangible personal property (such as vehicles, equipment, supplies, etc.) on which an equivalent City tax has not been paid.

Utility Services: Includes providing water, electricity or gas.

Additional Comments

The taxable activities in Scottsdale may be different than the State of Arizona or other municipalities. Please contact the Arizona Department of Revenue at 602-542-4576 or the other cities in which you will be conducting business for additional information.